Some 25 years ago when I was working for a local North-East radio station I received a vinyl album featuring an artist called Randy Ray entitled Randy Ray at the Nashville Palace.
For a virtual unknown artist it was a great release and some two months later I received a single vinyl release with a song called ‘On the Other Hand’.
The rest as they say is history in the making.
This single release gave Randy Travis who had changed his name from Ray the step up the country music ladder that he had been waiting for for years.
Now twenty five years later he releases a new album to celebrate his years in the music business entitled Randy Travis 25th Anniversary Collection. It contains many of his hits from two and a half decades but this time with a slight difference.
On each individual track he has enlisted an all star country music cast including artists like Carrie Underwood ,Tim McGraw and Brad Paisley.
Kenny Chesney joins him on the rendition of ‘He Walked On Water’, on’ Forever And Ever Amen’ he is joined by the Zac Brown band and ‘Digging Up Bones’ features John Anderson.
He is also joined by Alan Jackson on a medley of their respective hits including ‘Better Class Of Losers’,’ She’s Got The Rhythm And I Got The Blues’.
In total the album contains 16 tracks the final one being ‘Didn’t We Shine’ which features George Jones, Lorrie Morgan, Ray Price, Connie Smith,Joe Stampley, and Gene Watson.
It’s a great release from an artist who has stood the test of time amplified by the fact that it is a testament to his impact on country music that his friends have joined him to celebrate his legacy.
It is also worthy of a place in any true country music fans collection and I’ll be featuring three tracks on the American Connection Show this Saturday.
Randy Travis 25th Anniversary Collection Humphead/Warner Music Nashville